The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-03-03

Allen G. Thurman was born in Lynchburg,
Va, on the 18th Of November. 1918. His father
was clergyman, Rev. p. Thurman, and his
mother. was tho only daughter Of Colonel
Nathaniel Allen, Of North Carolina, who was
the adopted son and nephew OF Joseph Hewes
signer Of the Declaration of Independence.
Judge Thurman's parents came to Chllicothe
in 1919, and that city was his home until he re-
moved to Columbus in 1853 to take his seat on
the Supreme Bench of the State.
Judge Thurman received his public educa-
tion at the old Chillicothe Academy but he is
largely indebted to the private instructions Of
his mother for his carly mental training b
judge Alfred Yaple has given picturesque
description of Thurman In youth. "He was
thea small boy with what poets in pantaloons
would denominate haxen hair, and vcrsifiers In
1rinoline golden locks, but what Governor Allen
and common people call q towhead. His
mother was drilling him in his French lessons.
She continued to superintend his education,
directing his reading Of authors even after he
left the old Chillicothe Academy, o private
institution, and the highest and only one he
ever attended until his admission to the bar
While attending this academy Thurman's class
mates and intimates were sent away to college.
He could not CO. for not only did his parents
find themselves without the means to send
him, but even required his exertions for
their own support and the support Of his
sisters, o duty which he cheerfully and en-
ciently rendered, remaining single and ut home
for more than nine years after his admission to
the bar. giving large part Of his earnings to-
ward the support OF his parents and sisters.
The day his school companions mounted the
stage and went away to college he was seized
with temporary despair. Sick ct heart he
sought the old Presbyterian burying ground,
and laid down upon fiat tomb and wept.
The thought that his tears were vain and idle
came to him with force. He told his sorr0ws
to friend who chanced to be wandering among
the graves and closed his recital with the sig-
nifcant remark: "If my school fellows come
home and have learned moro than have they
must work for It," A number Of persons now
well advanced in years told me when was last
in Chillicothe that the studious habits OF young
Thurman was matter of town talk, and it is re-
called that light was often seen burning In his
room ut four o'clock in the morning. Judge
Thurman still retains his old habits and It is
quite the common thing for him TO be up until
two o'clock.
Judge Thurman's early companions never &C.
quired more knowledge than he did. for he kept
studying long after they had been graduated
from their colleges. He taught school, studied,
surveyed and prepared himself for admission TO
the bar in the ONCE OF his distinguished uncle,
William Allen He was admitted to the prac-
tice Of law in 1885, and became at once pains
taking and industrious lawyer. He worked
hard In these early years 70 lay the foundatiou
for that broad knowledge Of the law that made
him famous later In life. He was brought into
cOutact Win many uriSut iogui minus ~ tne DO
ginning OF his career. Chillicothe had strong
bar, and Thomas Ewing, Henry stanbery, after-
wards Attorney General Of the United States,
and Hooking H. Hunter, from Lancaster, were
counsel in many important cases In the counties
where Thurman practiced. His progress was
rapid. and in . short time he was very generally
acknowledged to be one at the ablest lawyers In
Southern and Central Ohio. His practice was
large, and 1t was oil carefully md thoroughly
considered and attended to. His contempora-
ries are unanimous in their testimony concern
ing his fine business habits. fkta
Thurman was not laSy genius. His plead
ngs were always filed Ut the proper time, and
when the case was called for trial his brief
showed that every essential authority had been
consulted and every law principle involved in
the issue adequately and logically analysed.
The labor which he bestowed upon case, says
one Of his legal friends, TO whom ] am much
Indebted for Information, was remarkable.
Every detail was noticed and its probable effect
considered. Tho weak points Of his adversary
were carefully surveyed, the plan OF assault
upon them skillfui arranged, and tbs yulner-
able points on his own aide thoroughly pro-
tected. His ability for classification end bril-.
liant generalixation was exeepttonally ane. end
v Uvas grounded upon Just nd keen iogis.